Drug-related infectious diseases toolkit

Last updated : 10.03.2026

Drug‑related infectious diseases (DRID) — including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C — continue to pose major health challenges for people who inject drugs (PWID). Changing risk factors, limited access to harm‑reduction services and structural barriers to healthcare contribute to a disproportionate burden of infection, illness and mortality within this population.

This updated technical protocol provides practical guidance for planning and implementing surveys among PWID. It outlines available methodological approaches, their advantages and limitations, and includes examples of best practice from across Europe.

Together with the accompanying questionnaires and resources, it supports national and local teams in designing robust and context‑appropriate studies to assess the progress towards the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threats and ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic among this key population.

image with dark blue background with one green hexagon with notebook icon; and four pink hexagons with different icons: people, syringe, lab tubes and calendar

Technical protocol

A guidance for planning, designing and conducting surveys on drug‑related infectious diseases among people who inject drugs. This protocol outlines methodological options, practical considerations, illustrative examples and useful references to support consistent and standardised monitoring across EU countries.

Questionnaire – Long version

A template designed for in‑depth DRID surveys among people who inject drugs (PWID). Based on the list of indicators from the technical protocol, it covers burden, risk factors, prevention, continuum of care, impact, providing a reliable and comprehensive tool for high‑quality data collection over time.

Questionnaire – Short version

This example questionnaire includes questions covering the core indicators from the technical protocol. It provides a concise option for settings where rapid or low‑burden data collection is required. The questionnaire focuses on epidemiological indicators that are essential to monitor trends over time.

Best practice examples of surveys for monitoring DRID

This document presents examples from European countries, showcasing different approaches to conducting surveys among people who inject drugs (PWID). The case studies highlight practical lessons and effective strategies to support future survey planning. It serves as a practical supplement to the DRID technical protocol.

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